Netanyahu names Golan Heights establishment after Trump

IANS  |  Tel Aviv 

Israeli has announced the establishment of 'Ramat Trump', a new community named after the US President, the media reported.

"We're going to establish a new community, something that hasn't happened in many years, and in honour of Donald Trump," newspaper quoted as saying on Sunday during a government meeting, adding that this was a historic day.

According to the Prime Minister, naming of the establishment after Trump constitutes a gesture of respect for the US President's actions "for the good of the state of in a wide variety of areas", which include recognition of as Israel's capital and of Israeli sovereignty over the - a move that was criticized by the international community.

The meeting, which took place at the Golan Heights, was followed by a sign unveiling ceremony for the establishment.

Trump later took to to thank and his government on the move, saying: "Thank you PM Netanyahu and the State of for this great honour."

Trump's also retweeted a tweet by US Ambassador to David Friedman, who wrote about the ceremony on his handle.

"A great day on the Golan. PM Netanyahu and I had the honour to dedicate 'Trump Heights' - first time Israel has dedicated a village in honour of a sitting since (1949). Happy Birthday Mr. President," Friedman said in his tweet.

According to a government proposal, the establishment will be part of the and will be built in the extant Kela Alon community, in which dozens of families already live, reports

The plan would see 'Ramat Trump' established in what is now the Bruchim neighbourhood, in which a few families live.

But despite the fanfare, the current government is temporary and cannot officially approve the establishment.

At this point, it can only start the administrative work on the project.

Last week, an event to "recognize in the Golan" that was supposed to be organised by Netanyahu and Friedman was cancelled a few days before it was supposed to take place.

According to the of the Golan Regional Council, Haim Rokah, it was cancelled due to "dissolving the (Parliament), governmental reasons and legal problems that were out of our control".

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Mon, June 17 2019. 10:14 IST